luminaires in residential halls

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toddpatrick

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i cant find in the code where it states that a lite must be installed in a residential hall. we have built 100+ houses in this local jurisdiction and now the inspectors are requiring a lite. common sense says it should be there, but that is really up to the general contractor. can anyone give me any direction to look? thank you
 
210.70(a)(2)(a)

But the NEC only requires a "lighting outlet" be installed. Check the definitions in article 100.

There may be a building code requirement for the actual light fixture.

Pete
 
It's not likely the building codes will have any requirements for illumination in a dwelling hallway, unless there is equipment installed in the hallway such as a panelboard. 110.26(D).
 
Would this light work/

Thistle_Lamp.jpg
 
toddpatrick said:
i cant find in the code where it states that a lite must be installed in a residential hall. we have built 100+ houses in this local jurisdiction and now the inspectors are requiring a lite. common sense says it should be there, but that is really up to the general contractor. can anyone give me any direction to look? thank you
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Table 220.12 Dwelling Units 3 watts per square foot...footnote "a" refers to 220.14(J)(3) which refers to 210.70(A)(2)(a) which actually mentions hallways. :)
 
wbalsam1 said:
Table 220.12 Dwelling Units 3 watts per square foot...footnote "a" refers to 220.14(J)(3) which refers to 210.70(A)(2)(a) which actually mentions hallways. :)
Click to expand...

Are you saying 220.12 requires us to install a fixture in a hallway?
 
bphgravity said:
It's not likely the building codes will have any requirements for illumination in a dwelling hallway, unless there is equipment installed in the hallway such as a panelboard. 110.26(D).
Click to expand...

The code making panel thinks otherwise;

2-251 Log #575 NEC-P02 Final Action: Reject
(210.70)
____________________________________________________________
Submitter: Alan H. Nadon, City of Elkhart, IN
Recommendation: Revise as follows:
210.70 Lighting Outlets Required. Lighting outlets, that provide illumination,
shall be installed where specified in 210.70(A), (B), (C).
Substantiation: As currently worded, only 210.70(A)(2)(b) requires a lighting
outlet to actually illuminate anything. The definition of a lighting outlet, in
Article 100 does not require anything more than a junction box with switched
conductors intended to be connected to a lampholder, light fixture, or pendent
light. A proposal has also been submitted to change or amend the definition of
lighting outlet. Proper illumination ensures safe movement for persons thus
preventing many accidents.
Panel Meeting Action: Reject
Panel Statement: The objective of the NEC is to provide the requirement for
the lighting outlet. The requirements specific to illumination are in the building
code.
Number Eligible to Vote: 12
Ballot Results: Affirmative: 12
____________________________________________________________
 
iwire said:
Are you saying 220.12 requires us to install a fixture in a hallway?
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No, I don't think I'd go that far...only that a hallway is required to have 3 watts per square foot lighting figured in the calculations....I may be going too far with that assumption, too. However, different point, though, I don't think I can remember ever seeing a residential hallway that was not illuminated by some sort of adequate lighting fixture. :)
 
bphgravity said:
It's not likely the building codes will have any requirements for illumination in a dwelling hallway, unless there is equipment installed in the hallway such as a panelboard. 110.26(D).
Click to expand...


Massachusetts building code 3603.6.4.5 and if not natural light then 3603.6.5 artificial light is required
 
110.26(D) requires illumination around "service equipment, switchboards, panelboards, or motor control centers installed indoors."

210.70 only requires the lighting outlet (not the luminaire itself), IMO.
 
M. D. said:
The code making panel thinks otherwise;

2-251 Log #575 NEC-P02 Final Action: Reject
(210.70)
____________________________________________________________
Submitter: Alan H. Nadon, City of Elkhart, IN

Panel Meeting Action: Reject
Panel Statement: The objective of the NEC is to provide the requirement for
the lighting outlet. The requirements specific to illumination are in the building
code.
Number Eligible to Vote: 12
Ballot Results: Affirmative: 12
____________________________________________________________
Click to expand...

This just states that it is not within the scope of the NEC to specify the illumination, only the outlet. The building codes provide this detail, but again it's not likely the building code will have a requirement for artificial light in a hallway. By the way, Mr. Alan Nadon is my friend. We work together on a few Tom Henry Projects!
 
bphgravity said:
...... but again it's not likely the building code will have a requirement for artificial light in a hallway........
Click to expand...

Why do you say this? Have you done some sort of study of state building codes or know of one??
 
Lighting outlet but no light???

Lighting outlet but no light???

I find it interesting that the CMP substantiates its rejection of the proposal to require an actual light fixture by stating that it is the responsibility of the respective building code but the NEC still requires that provisions for attaching a light fixture be provided. How is the requirement for the "lighting outlet" substantiated and not the lighting fixture itself? Further, how was it decided and/or substantiated where the "required" lighting outlets be located?
 
Let's go another step forward and look at 210.70(A)(1) except.#1. This seems to permit a switched receptacle in the hallway in lieu of a lighting outlet. How absurd. Can you imagine a 3' wide hallway with a switched receptacle for a lamp.
360 Youth had suggested a nigh light. I imagine if it is on a switch then it would be compliant.

Another interesting point is that the NEC does not define a hallway. If I have a large family room with a 3' recess that allows for 2 doors opposite each other to enter other rooms, is this 3' recess a hallway or is it part of the family room?
 
Dennis Alwon said:
Can you imagine a 3' wide hallway with a switched receptacle for a lamp.
Click to expand...
Yes, and can you imagine how easy it would be to install a sconce directly above that switched receptacle later? :)
 
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